COVID CASES ON THE UPSWING: Most infections in households; out-of-town parties potential spreaders

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iloilo City in the first 10 days of December are on the upswing although still at par with the average daily new cases last month.

Most of the new cases were detected in households and workplaces in the city.

Data from the city’s Covid-19 team indicated that the average daily new case in the city from Dec 1-10 was at 15, the same figure in Nov 1-10.

The highest so far this month was 23 new cases on Dec 2 while the lowest was six on Dec 6.

Since then, new daily cases gradually grew to as much as 21 on Dec 10.

As of 12 pm on Dec 11, the city logged five new confirmed cases.

While the daily cases seem stable compared to November, the city government cautioned the public against complacency.

“Cases are increasing. We have seen them on the uptrend this December. We have to strictly observe the minimum health protocols. Take all necessary protection for yourself and your family,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said in a Facebook post.

Jeck Conlu, Covid-19 team spokesperson, said most of the new cases were close contacts of index cases they detected early this month.

“These are local transmissions, particularly in households. Some of them were close contacts of previous cases involving family gatherings,” Conlu said.

Conlu also cited the case of a financial institution where 14 employees were infected.

“It’s either one of the employees got infected in their home and spread it to their workplace. Or it could also be that they got the virus while at work,” he added.

 

SUPER SPREADERS

In Iloilo City, Mayor Treñas banned large family gatherings and Christmas parties which are potential super-spreaders.

The city already got a taste of the problem after a family gathering led to more than 23 infections early this month.

Conlu said the mayor will issue an order to City Hall workers prohibiting them from holding or attending parties, either within or outside the city.

He also cautioned city residents who will attend out-of-town parties in Iloilo province to be careful by following health protocols.

“If they will attend parties outside the city like in resorts, they should be very careful because they might bring in the infection to their homes and workplaces here in the city,” he added.

Conlu said another factor in the upsurge is the aggressive contact tracing and fast release of COVID-19 testing results by the city’s molecular laboratory.

Treñas cited Bo. Obrero in Lapuz, where majority of cases were detected between September and October, for establishing a COVID-19 operation center.

The center is handled by local officials in tandem with the youth sector in the barangay.